The Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is know as Shabbat Shuvah, “the Sabbath of Return.” It takes its name from the haftarah which comes from the Prophet Hosea.
שׁ֚וּבָה יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל עַ֖ד יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ כִּ֥י כָשַׁ֖לְתָּ בַּעֲוֺנֶֽךָ׃
Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, For you have fallen because of your sin (Hos.14:2).
The idea of returning to God requires that we know where to look. Yehudah Halevi addresses this question in his poem “Where will I Find You,” which has been adapted by the CCAR press for its new S’lichot prayer book, Mishkan Halev.
Where Will I Find You?
Soul of eternity – my strength, my song:
Where will I find You?
Your place is a mystery – far away.
But where will I not find You?
Your glory fills the world…
I sought Your nearness; I call You with all my heart.
And when I went out to find You, I found You coming toward me!
Breathless, I witnessed Your power – And, in holiness, I gazed.
During these Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe, between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, may our return be met with forgiveness and love.
Gamar Chatimah Tovah,
Rabbi Sandra M. Bellush